House Republican Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell, from Southern Maryland, said it's "fairly easy" for the governor to give up two weeks' salary. "But for those who are struggling to pay bills and put food on the table, two weeks' pay reduction is a big hit," he said.
Under the two-part furlough plan, state government offices would be shuttered for five days, including the days before Thanksgiving and Christmas, New Year's Eve, and the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.
Employees making more than $40,000 a year would not be paid for all of those days; workers making less wouldn't be paid for three days and would have to take vacation or comp time for the other two. Those pay cuts would be spread throughout the remaining 10 months of the fiscal year.
Through the second part of the plan, up to five additional furlough days would be required according to a sliding-income scale. Those making less than $40,000 a year would be exempt. Those earning between $40,000 and $50,000 would take another three unpaid days. Earners who make between $50,000 and $100,000 would take four days, and those with salaries above that would be docked five days. The unpaid days would be reflected in the pay period they are taken.
Unlike last year's furlough plan, which contained as many as five unpaid days depending on salary level, emergency personnel would be required to take some unpaid days. And this time, employees will be allowed to take additional voluntary furlough days or seek a 35-hour work week for less pay.
Moran also said labor officials were able to protect employee health benefits and pensions, and that the union worked to secure financial incentives for state employees using generic prescription medications.
Sen. David R. Brinkley, a Frederick County Republican on the Budget and Taxation Committee, said that while "there is pain to be felt across the board," the temporary furloughs don't address a systemic imbalance in the state's budget.
Baltimore Sun reporter Julie Bykowicz contributed to this article.
O'Malley proposal
State employee furlough and pay reduction plan, by income:
Less than $40,000: three days
$40,000 to $50,000: eight days
$50,000 to $100,000: nine days
More than $100,000: 10 days
